Lineman Nails Signed

NFL - Dolphins Beat

August 16, 2001|By Alex Marvez, Dolphins Correspondent

PRACTICE REPORT: The Miami left tackle position is far from settled, but Coach Dave Wannstedt wanted to make a point that Wednesday's signing of free-agent guard Jamie Nails wasn't a precursor to changes along his starting offensive line.

"No, no, no, no, no, no, no," Wannstedt said when asked if the Nails signing meant starting left guard Mark Dixon will shift to left tackle to replace Marcus Spriggs. "It has nothing to do with anything. He is another guy that played in the league and started. He's a Florida [A&M] guy living right here who wanted an opportunity, so we'll see."

Wannstedt, though, wants to see more of backup Spencer Folau before naming Spriggs his regular-season starter. Wannstedt said Folau, a five-year NFL veteran who was signed 19 days ago when projected starter Brent Smith incurred a season-ending knee injury in practice, would receive time with the first-team offense in Saturday's game against San Diego.

Nails, who started 16 games at right guard for Buffalo last season, was signed after dropping 15 pounds from the first time he worked out for the Dolphins 12 days earlier. The 6-6 Nails now claims to weigh 360 pounds.

"I don't know what the scheme is or who they have here," said Nails, 26. "But I'm just glad to have an opportunity to play again." . . .

The fact the Dolphins have inserted backup quarterback Ray Lucas in two goal-line situations in the first two exhibition games hasn't been lost on starter Jay Fiedler. "It is frustrating," Fiedler said Wednesday. "But as long as we get the six on the board, I'll be happy either way." . . .

INJURIES: Defensive tackle Tim Bowens will undergo arthroscopic surgery on his right knee today but should be ready for the regular-season opener Sept. 9 at Tennessee.

QUOTE: "It will be good to see him." -- Wide receivers coach Robert Ford on Jimmy Johnson's scheduled visit to practice today for the first time since he retired as head coach of the Dolphins after the 1999 season.